Aldermen debate pedestrian warning signals

Aldermen voted 6-3 this week to recommend purchasing flashing lights to be installed at pedestrian crossings at East Grant Street and Maple Avenue and just east of the West Adams Street and Wigwam Hollow Road intersection.

“This discussion goes back to last year,” said City Administrator Dean Torreson at Tuesday’s city council committee of the whole meeting. “It was not in the budget, but it is in this year’s budget.”

The council’s public safety committee recommended purchase of light poles from the Wisconsin-based Traffic & Parking Control Company (TAPCO) at a cost of $13,880. Each pole would feature an LED-framed pedestrian crossing symbol which would be button-activated by pedestrians wishing to cross the street.

Alderman Dave Dorsett noted that there have been no pedestrian accidents reported at either intersection in at least a year, and that Illinois law already requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. “I think this will give people an artificial sense of security,” he said.

Alderman Tom Koch also expressed concern about the purchase. “We have signs that are very visible now,” he said, “but people don’t stop.”

Speaking in support of the new lights, Alderman Lou Gilbert said, “I think it’s tough to put a dollar value on one of our children.”

“I don’t think we need to wait until an incident to do something,” said council member Kay Hill. “I think these lights will attract attention.”

Alderman Don Wynn joined Koch and Dorsett in voting against the purchase recommendation. He later said he isn’t sure the pedestrian lights will be that effective in stopping traffic.

Also this week, aldermen discussed equipment purchases for the Macomb Public Works Department. “I feel we got some pretty good prices this time,” said Public Works Director Jason Bainter in discussing price quotes for a wheel loader and for a tractor and mower.

Bainter recommended the purchase of a John Deere wheel loader from Martin Equipment for $127,000 plus the trade-in of the department’s 1988 model.

The department had been using two tractors with its mowers but Bainter said they would only use the new one, which he recommended purchasing from Heritage Equipment for $48,500 plus a tractor trade-in.

Bainter said mowers would be purchased from Martin Equipment for slightly more than $36,000. Martin has agreed to attach the mowers to the Heritage tractor. He said the equipment purchases are well under the amounts budgeted.

Dorsett asked for a delay in purchase until the Illinois General Assembly adjourns. Other aldermen agreed that the money should not be spent until the city knows whether there will be any change in anticipated state revenues.